This book provides a comprehensive guide to the state-of-the-art in cardiovascular computing and highlights novel directions and challenges in this constantly evolving multidisciplinary field. The topics covered span a wide range of methods and clinical applications of cardiovascular computing, including advanced technologies for the acquisition and analysis of signals and images, cardiovascular informatics, and mathematical and computational modeling.

NEW FRONTIERS IN BIOMAGNETISM contains selected papers based on presentations at the 15th International Conference on Biomagnetism (Biomag 2006), held in Vancouver between the 20th and 26th of August, 2006. The conference brought together over 500 scientists and specialists from around the world to present the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of Biomagnetism - the measurement of magnetic signals produced by electric currents in the human body. The study of the minute magnetic fields resulting from heart and muscle contraction, signal conduction in the nervous system, or by the magnetization of biological tissue has grown steadily since the 5th World Conference on Biomagnetism that was held in Vancouver in August of 1984.Although the conference covered many facets of biomagnetism research, the focus for this year's conference was on new frontiers in biomagnetism - the development of new applications and areas of research. One emphasis was on the application of Magnetoencephalography (MEG) to the study of human development and its potential to help understand the physiological underpinnings of language and cognitive development in children, including neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down Syndrome, autism and language impairment. There were also many exciting contributions on the latest techniques for the precise localization of brain activity using MEG, and related methods for the study of brain dynamics and distributed networks of neural activity. These novel approaches to the study of human brain function promise to provide new insights into the organization of neural systems underlying motor planning, perception, memory and cognition. Other areas of rapid development discussed in New Frontiers in Biomagnetism include the application of biomagnetic measures in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, and the use of MEG for presurgical functional mapping. Special sessions were also dedicated to the latest developments in Magnetocardiography (MCG) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease and associated disorders of the electrical activity of the heart. This year's conference also held a special symposium in honour of the late Sam Williamson, with presentations from his former colleagues and students that reviewed his life's work and contributions to the field of neuromagnetism. NEW FRONTIERS IN BIOMAGNETISM aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the field of Biomagnetism and its application to the study of human biological systems. The many new developments and breakthroughs presented at Biomag 2006 made a significant contribution to the advancement of the understanding of brain and cardiac function and provided new tools for clinical applications of this new knowledge.

Volume 22, entitled Metal Ions in Bio-Imaging Techniques, of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences deals with metal ions as tools in imaging. This dates back to the first half of the past century, when barium sulfate was orally given to patients undergoing X-ray examination. The use of contrast agents has since developed into a large interdisciplinary field encompassing not only medicine, but also chemistry, material sciences, physics, biology, engineering, and computer sciences. MILS-22 provides deep and current insights in 17 stimulating chapters on the new research frontiers of this fast growing field on bio-imaging ... and beyond. For example, adding bio-sensing yields theranostic agents, meaning diagnosis and therapy linked in the same molecule; ions of Gd, Mn, Fe, Co, Ir, 99mTc, etc., are involved. Other important topics are, e.g., metal complexes in paramagnetic Chemical Exchange Transfer (paraCEST), radiometals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, or paramagnetic metal ion probes for 19F magnetic resonance imaging. MILS-22 is written by 57 internationally recognized experts from 12 countries, that is, from the US via Europe to China. The impact of this vibrant research area is manifested by more than 2300 references and nearly 120 figures, mostly in color, and several informative tables. To conclude, Metal Ions in Bio-Imaging Techniques is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from material sciences, enzymology, analytic, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that also excellent information for teaching is provided.

With the technology innovations dentistry has witnessed in all its branches over the past three decades, the need for more precise diagnostic tools and advanced imaging methods has become mandatory across the industry. Recent advancements to imaging systems are playing an important role in efficient diagnoses, treatments, and surgeries. Computational Techniques for Dental Image Analysis provides innovative insights into computerized methods for automated analysis. The research presented within this publication explores pattern recognition, oral pathologies, and diagnostic processing. It is designed for dentists, professionals, medical educators, medical imaging technicians, researchers, oral surgeons, and students, and covers topics centered on easier assessment of complex cranio-facial tissues and the accurate diagnosis of various lesions at early stages.

The articles collected in this volume are based on lectures given at the IMA Workshop, "Computational Radiology and Imaging: Therapy and Diagnostics," March 17-21, 1997. Introductory articles by the editors have been added. The focus is on inverse problems involving electromagnetic radiation and particle beams, with applications to X-ray tomography, nuclear medicine, near-infrared imaging, microwave imaging, electron microscopy, and radiation therapy planning. Mathematical and computational tools and models which play important roles in this volume include the X-ray transform and other integral transforms, the linear Boltzmann equation and, for near-infrared imaging, its diffusion approximation, iterative methods for large linear and non-linear least-squares problems, iterative methods for linear feasibility problems, and optimization methods. The volume is intended not only for mathematical scientists and engineers working on these and related problems, but also for non-specialists. It contains much introductory expository material, and a large number of references. Many unsolved computational and mathematical problems of substantial practical importance are pointed out.

Dr. Leonard Swischuk, who is recognized for authoring several superb and widely read pediatric radiology textbooks, has produced yet another outstanding work on the important subject of imaging the cervical spine in children. A distinguished pediatric radiologist, he draws upon his extensive experience in the field and his gift for writing clear and readable text to provide practitioners with an insightful approach to pediatric cervical spine injuries. Those who work in trauma imaging will appreciate the wealth of practical guidelines contained in this thorough yet concise book. Dr. Swischuk's text is organized into six chapters. The first two discuss developmental anatomy and normal variants. Chapters three and four concentrate on congenital anomalies and on abnormalities of the dens. The final two chapters consider trauma and miscellaneous abnormalities of the cervical spine. The book has several notable strengths that are appealing to radiology residents, such as its succinct and well-organized overview of the topic. To help residents identify cases that they are likely to encounter during board exams and in practice, Dr. Swischuk selected excellent plain film examples from his personal collection that illustrate the conditions he discusses and reflect his emphasis on cervical radiography. The illustrated cases also include CT and MR images that clarify and qualify the plain film findings. Helpful reference lists complete each chapter and guide residents to resources for further reading. In addition, Dr. Swischuk 's direct writing style makes the complex content highly accessible, providing imaging residents with an invaluable introduction to pediatric cervical spine radiology.

This book presents different approaches on multi-modality imaging with a focus on biomedical applications. Medical imaging can be divided into two categories: functional (related to physiological body measurements) and anatomical (structural) imaging modalities. In particular, this book covers imaging combinations coming from the usual popular modalities (such as the anatomical modalities, e.g. X-ray, CT and MRI), and it also includes some promising and new imaging modalities that are still being developed and improved (such as infrared thermography (IRT) and photoplethysmography imaging (PPGI)), implying potential approaches for innovative biomedical applications. Moreover, this book includes a variety of tools on computer vision, imaging processing, and computer graphics, which led to the generation and visualization of 3D models, making the most recent advances in this area possible. This is an ideal book for students and biomedical engineering researchers covering the biomedical imaging field.

This volume covers state-of-the-art applications of solid-state and solution nuclear magnetic resonance( NMR) spectroscopy to study protein structure, dynamics and interactions. Chapters detail various aspects of data acquisition and processing, determination of the structure, multi-timescale dynamics of entities ranging from individual proteins to large macromolecular complexes to intact viral assemblies. The final two chapters will highlight the promise of NMR beyond field strengths of 1 GHz to study the structure, dynamics and interactions of a larger class of proteins and protein complexes of extraordinary biological interest. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters provide detailed laboratory protocols and troubleshooting tips that would be of great practical help to NMR spectroscopists with different levels of expertise. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Protein NMR: Methods and Protocol aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

MRI in Practice continues to be the number one reference book and study guide for the registry review examination for MRI offered by the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This latest edition offers in-depth chapters covering all core areas, including: basic principles, image weighting and contrast, spin and gradient echo pulse sequences, spatial encoding, k-space, protocol optimization, artefacts, instrumentation, and MRI safety. The leading MRI reference book and study guide. Now with a greater focus on the physics behind MRI. Offers, for the first time, equations and their explanations and scan tips. Brand new chapters on MRI equipment, vascular imaging and safety. Presented in full color, with additional illustrations and high-quality MRI images to aid understanding. Includes refined, updated and expanded content throughout, along with more learning tips and practical applications. Features a new glossary. MRI in Practice is an important text for radiographers, technologists, radiology residents, radiologists, and other students and professionals working within imaging, including medical physicists and nurses.

This book presents new methods of analyzing and processing hyperspectral medical images, which can be used in diagnostics, for example for dermatological images. The algorithms proposed are fully automatic and the results obtained are fully reproducible. Their operation was tested on a set of several thousands of hyperspectral images and they were implemented in Matlab. The presented source code can be used without licensing restrictions. This is a valuable resource for computer scientists, bioengineers, doctoral students, and dermatologists interested in contemporary analysis methods.

This book presents a comprehensive, state-of the-art guide and review of ultrasound applications for children and infants with surgical problems. It is meant as a single source to provide information about sonographic application, interpretation and technique for a diversity of pediatric surgical care providers, making it a useful tool for the ultrasound novice as well as the more advanced ultrasonographer. Sections address initial obstacles faced by a physician starting with ultrasound such as the scanning techniques, underlying anatomy and normal sonographic findings. The initial chapter provides an introduction and basic overview about ultrasound theory and techniques. Subsequent chapters focus on specific body parts and systems and their disease processes as it pertains to pediatric and neonatal patients. The text also includes a chapter on abdominal trauma and its evaluation with the FAST (focused abdominal sonography for trauma) exam. Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound in Pediatric Surgery serves as a useful resource for a broad spectrum of pediatric care providers, including a growing number of ultrasound users, surgeons and pediatricians alike.

This volume comprises of 21 selected chapters, including two overview chapters devoted to abdominal imaging in clinical applications supported computer aided diagnosis approaches as well as different techniques for solving the pectoral muscle extraction problem in the preprocessing part of the CAD systems for detecting breast cancer in its early stage using digital mammograms. The aim of this book is to stimulate further research in medical imaging applications based algorithmic and computer based approaches and utilize them in real-world clinical applications. The book is divided into four parts, Part-I: Clinical Applications of Medical Imaging, Part-II: Classification and clustering, Part-III: Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) Tools and Case Studies and Part-IV: Bio-inspiring based Computer Aided diagnosis techniques.

Among the subjects reviewed in these Advances, the properties and computation of electromagnetic fields have been considered on several occasions. In particular, the early work of H.F. Harmuth on Maxwell's equations, which was highly controversial at the time, formed a supplement to the series
This volume, unlike previous volumes in the series concentrates solely on the research of professors' Harmuth and Meffert.
These studies raise important and fundamental questions concerning some of the basic areas of physics: electromagnetic theory and quantum mechanics. They deserve careful study and reflection for although the authors do not attempt to provide the definitive answer to the questions, their work is undoubtedly a major step towards such an answer. This volume essential reading for those researchers and academics working applied mathematicians or theoretical physics
Unlike previous volumes, this book concentrates solely on the new research of professors Harmuth and Meffert
Raises important and fundamental questions concerning electromagnetism theory and quantum mechanics
Provides the steps in finding answers for the highly debated questions

This 6 volume set presents a groundbreaking resource in this branch of natural organic compounds and demonstrates how proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can be manipulated in structures of natural organic compounds. The authors provide the most comprehensive data of 17 kinds amounting to over 10,000 natural organic compounds. The 1st volume mainly illustrates the molecular formula and structures of alkaloids.

Automatic detection and segmentation of anatomical structures in medical images are prerequisites to subsequent image measurements and disease quantification, and therefore have multiple clinical applications. This book presents an efficient object detection and segmentation framework, called Marginal Space Learning, which runs at a sub-second speed on a current desktop computer, faster than the state-of-the-art. Trained with a sufficient number of data sets, Marginal Space Learning is also robust under imaging artifacts, noise and anatomical variations. The book showcases 35 clinical applications of Marginal Space Learning and its extensions to detecting and segmenting various anatomical structures, such as the heart, liver, lymph nodes and prostate in major medical imaging modalities (CT, MRI, X-Ray and Ultrasound), demonstrating its efficiency and robustness.

Advanced techniques in image processing have led to many innovations supporting the medical field, especially in the area of disease diagnosis. Biomedical imaging is an essential part of early disease detection and often considered a first step in the proper management of medical pathological conditions. Classification and Clustering in Biomedical Signal Processing focuses on existing and proposed methods for medical imaging, signal processing, and analysis for the purposes of diagnosing and monitoring patient conditions. Featuring the most recent empirical research findings in the areas of signal processing for biomedical applications with an emphasis on classification and clustering techniques, this essential publication is designed for use by medical professionals, IT developers, and advanced-level graduate students.

Specific 3-D measurement techniques, based on optical or opto-electronic principles of image capture, can today provide a complete set of results to quantify, without any risk for the patient, the actual state of the rachis and the effects induced by the disease on the whole postural performance. The book deals with theoretical and clinical aspects of spinal deformities. It covers topics such as 3-D acquisition, reconstruction and modelling techniques; 3-D biomechanical analysis; 3-D etiological and prognostic aspects; 3-D treatment of scoliosis; surface topography and internal 3-D spinal and/or trunk anatomy.

The second edition of Rad Tech's Guide to MRI provides practicing and training technologists with a succinct overview of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Designed for quick reference and examination preparation, this pocket-size guide covers the fundamental principles of electromagnetism, MRI equipment, data acquisition and processing, image quality and artifacts, MR Angiography, Diffusion/Perfusion, and more. Written by an expert practitioner and educator, this handy reference guide: Provides essential MRI knowledge in a single portable, easy-to-read guide Covers instrumentation and MRI hardware components, including gradient and radio-frequency subsystems Provides techniques to handle flow imaging issues and improve the quality of MRIs Explains the essential physics underpinning MRI technology Rad Tech's Guide to MRI is a must-have resource for student radiographers, especially those preparing for the American Registry of Radiation Technologist (ARRT) exams, as well as practicing radiology technologists looking for a quick reference guide.

This detailed volume presents a number of chapters that will aid researchers in jumping the hurdle preventing the popularization of advanced intravital imaging technology usage, namely the complicated experimental protocols. Leading researchers undertaking imaging studies in the field of bone and immune systems have contributed the chapters that aim to guide readers through these complex methodologies. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Intravital Imaging of Dynamic Bone and Immune Systems: Methods and Protocols will serve as an idea guide for general readers in order to establish and perform these experiments by their own.